7 replies to this topic

[decampos]

Model: 92 mini sprite 1275

Could a loud uneven metallic scraping noise coming from the driver's front wheel be the sign of a worn bearing?

Brake disc and pads are new, hub-nut properly tightened, no disc covers. Have the car jacked in the air at the mo (on jackstands), still makes the noise despite the car not on the ground. Can this be significant?

Any help much appreciated.
Cheers
Ben

[The_Mistro]

i would of suggested wheel bearings! its not a big job to be honest, and not hard to get the hub of to have a look!

[MRA]

Worn wheel bearings tend to give off a grumbling noise, if grinding that implies they are really bad and parts are touching somewhere is the wheel loose if you grasp it at the 6 & 12 O'clock positions and "rattle" it from side to side (car side) or front to back as you are positioned next to the car

[decampos]

Worn wheel bearings tend to give off a grumbling noise, if grinding that implies they are really bad and parts are touching somewhere is the wheel loose if you grasp it at the 6 & 12 O'clock positions and "rattle" it from side to side (car side) or front to back as you are positioned next to the car

Thanks for the replies. Not a grumbling noise. Certainly wasn't a grumbling noise then got worse. It's definitely a scraping sound that varies in strength to mild scratching to loud screeching.

Wheel feels pretty solid when rattled from side to side. That said, Is it easy to inspect the bearing? Any quick pointers very much appreciated!

[Cooperman]

See if you have a small stone trapped behind the disc shield. I had that once on a Merc and thought it was something dire. Went to strip it all down and a small piece of flint dropped out.

[decampos]

See if you have a small stone trapped behind the disc shield. I had that once on a Merc and thought it was something dire. Went to strip it all down and a small piece of flint dropped out.

Thanks for your reply. I did look for any place a stone might hide. On my car there are no disc shields. Probably rusted away to nothing.

[Cooperman]

It can really only be one of 3 things: a stone trapped in there, worn disc pads or wheel bearing gone.
For the small amount of work to get the hub off, I think I would take it to pieces and check the bearing. I did one on my 'S' last Thursday as it was a bit noisy. Like you, I had no free play in the hub, just a humming noise when driving. Actually it was gone quite badly when i took it out.

[decampos]

It can really only be one of 3 things: a stone trapped in there, worn disc pads or wheel bearing gone.
For the small amount of work to get the hub off, I think I would take it to pieces and check the bearing. I did one on my 'S' last Thursday as it was a bit noisy. Like you, I had no free play in the hub, just a humming noise when driving. Actually it was gone quite badly when i took it out.

Thanks for your reply. Must be the bearing. disc and pads are new and there appears to be no stone trapped. I'll investigate. Thanks again.